Richard Hannon’s annexation of the early-season Classic trials continued at
Newmarket on Thursday.

A day after Esentepe won the Nell Gwyn, Trumpet Major gave his rivals a five-length thrashing in the Novae Bloodstock Insurance Craven Stakes to earn a best price quote of 12-1 from Ladbrokes for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas.

The race may have lost some of its importance as a meaningful trial when Most Improved, already heavily backed for the Guineas, was found to be lame on Thursday morning, but there was no disputing Trumpet Major’s authority.

The good to soft going may have exaggerated the distances but apart from coming home some way in front of stable companion Crius, he was giving 3lb all round.

“I didn’t know if he’d like the ground but he handled it,” said Richard Hannon Jnr. “He’s only had one racecourse gallop so should come on for that and it augurs well for Bronterre in the Greenham.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Camelot remains the 6-4 favourite with Ladbrokes with the weight of recent money for the Ballydoyle colt the nearest to confirmation that the colt will line up at Newmarket.

Brian Meehan believes Most Improved has a soft tissue injury to his shoulder, but will know more after the colt is scanned today. If the colt goes for the Guineas on May 5 it will be without the benefit of a preparation race.